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Oscar Pistorius trial: Judge's verdict explained

PRETORIA, South Africa: Did Oscar Pistorius get away with murder? Judge Thokozile Masipa's decision to acquit Pistorius of murder has left many in South Africa asking that question. Masipa's decision hinged on a little-known Latin

 

SENTENCING
   
Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel said it is now "probable" that Pistorius would go to prison. But the sentence for culpable homicide is left to the judge's discretion and it could range from no jail time to a maximum of 15 years in prison. Du Toit, the criminal defense lawyer, said eight to 10 years for Pistorius would be a severe sentence for this case and would be applicable only if the judge found he was very negligent. Because there is no minimum sentence, Pistorius could receive a fine, a suspended sentence and no jail time.
 

 

"People think he got away with murder," Johannesburg resident Veronica Nyathi said. "There were only two people in the house and he shot Reeva. Most people want to see him go to jail."